Many people assumed that the Galaxy Z Flip would be substantially different from the Galaxy Fold and Motorola Razr. Samsung claims that its upcoming foldable mobile phone, Galaxy Z uses “Ultra-Thin Glass.” It sounded like a real breakthrough when Samsung revealed this big news last week. So far, flexible (Plastic)displays are used for folding screens that can easily be scratched with even a fingernail. However thin it might be, the galaxy Z flip switched to glass hoped that it could be used longer-term.
With a glass display, many people assumed that the Galaxy Z Flip would be substantially different from the Galaxy Fold and Motorola Razr. However, JerryRigEverything shows that the new foldable Samsung can scratch just as quickly — in daily use.
The Galaxy Z Flip’s display starts showing permanent marks and scratches much earlier than would be the case with actual glass. Part of the tried and true JerryRigEverything test is putting mobile phones to test when the display glass starts showing damage through a gauntlet of Mohs hardness picks. If you’ve seen Zack’s videos before, you’ve probably heard that modern mobile phones have “scratches beginning at level 6, with deeper grooves at level 7.”
The Galaxy Z Flip begins to pick up scratches at level 2 and significantly at level 3, which is on par with the Motorola Razr and Galaxy Fold’s plastic screens. “This screen is in no way scratch-resistant whatsoever,” says Nelson at the end of the video. He starts poking holes in the screen at the end of the video that causes the OLED panel to go on the fritz— but there is no sign of any glass fracturing.
Samsung had been categorical at the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip that it was glass. One of our colleagues insisted that Samsung’s spokesperson find out more about who Samsung’s partner is for manufacturing, how it was designed to bend, and what methods were implemented to the glass. Samsung’s spokesperson declined to comment on all those issues at the time. But the company published an answer as a response to those questions.
“Galaxy Z Flip features an Infinity Flex Display with Samsung’s Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) to deliver a sleek, premium look and offer an immersive viewing experience,” a spokesperson said by email. “Samsung’s first-of-its-kind UTG technology is different from other Galaxy flagship devices. While the display does bend, it should be handled with care. Also, Galaxy Z Flip has a protective layer on top of the UTG like Galaxy Fold.”
Is the company trying to say we only see scratches on the protective layer outside? These look very dark and permanent, but they can be. This is what Samsung says about the coating.
Samsung also intended to provide the Galaxy Z Flip with a screen replacement service, as it did with the Galaxy Fold. Samsung announces Galaxy Z Flip buyers can get $119 for a one-time replacement panel. Buyers can also get a specialized designed screen protector for the Galaxy Z Flip free one time. We have a company’s statement on that:
“As part of Premier Service, we will offer a one-time free application of a screen protector for the Z Flip at select UBIF [U Break I Fix], Samsung branded locations, or by sending it to Samsung Premier Service via mail,” the company added. “The screen protector will be applied by a specialist with the proper equipment to align and apply it. The program is rolling out soon.”
Samsung might use a hybrid plastic polymer (with microscopic glass assorted bits), so it can advertise this display as “glass.” But if it can be scratched this easily, what seemed like a significant selling point for the $1,380 Galaxy Z Flip is starting to look like overblown marketing.
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